Purple Urkel Chalice

Purple Urkel Chalice: Care Guide for This Standout LPS Coral

The Purple Urkel Chalice is a vibrant, eye-catching chalice coral prized for its deep purple base, contrasting eyes, and swirling patterns. It’s an excellent choice for reef keepers who want a bold centerpiece without the demanding care requirements of many SPS corals.

Identification & Lighting Needs

This coral is typically an Echinophyllia-type chalice with an encrusting, plate-like growth form. Expect rich purple to violet tones with neon green, orange, or pink eyes, depending on lineage and lighting.

Lighting plays a huge role in how your Purple Urkel Chalice colors up:

  • Light level: Low to moderate PAR (60–150) is ideal.
  • Placement: Start on the sandbed or lower rockwork and move up slowly if needed.
  • Shading: Avoid intense, direct light that can cause bleaching or washed-out colors.

Under blue-heavy reef LEDs, the coral typically displays its best fluorescence, making it a standout at dusk or under actinic channels.

Water Parameters & Flow

Like most chalice corals, the Purple Urkel Chalice appreciates stable, clean water with gentle to moderate flow.

  • Temperature: 76–78°F (24–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
  • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
  • Calcium: 420–450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
  • Nitrates: 5–15 ppm
  • Phosphates: 0.03–0.08 ppm

Flow should be indirect and variable. Too much direct flow can cause tissue recession, while too little can allow detritus to accumulate on the surface.

Feeding, Placement, and Compatibility Tips

The Purple Urkel Chalice is photosynthetic but benefits from supplemental feeding, especially in lower nutrient systems.

  • Offer small meaty foods (mysis, finely chopped seafood) or quality coral foods 1–2 times per week.
  • Target feed with pumps on low to give feeding tentacles time to capture food.
  • Observe nighttime polyp extension to find the best feeding window.

When it comes to placement and tankmates, plan ahead:

  • Space: Leave room for sweepers; chalices can sting neighboring corals.
  • Substrate: A stable spot on the sandbed or a flat, lower rock shelf works well.
  • Tankmates: Avoid aggressive LPS directly adjacent and keep curious fish (like some angelfish and butterflies) well-fed.

Tip: Acclimate your Purple Urkel Chalice slowly to both light and flow to preserve its vivid coloration and prevent tissue stress.

Building a Display Around the Purple Urkel Chalice

Because of its dramatic color and plating growth, this coral makes a fantastic focal point in mixed LPS and soft coral systems. Pair it with contrasting pieces like bright green hammers or orange zoanthids for a dynamic layout.

For more coral care resources, check out our guides on Montipora coral care and our overview of LPS coral care. If you’re planning a new reef tank, our beginner reef tank setup article can help you build a stable foundation before adding high-end chalice corals.

With stable parameters, thoughtful placement, and occasional feeding, the Purple Urkel Chalice can reward you with rich color and steady growth, becoming one of the most striking corals in your collection.